Quick Study

By Brian Robinson

Cybersecurity roundup: Training, stalling, deterring, outlook

In our daily peregrinations across the Web we come across many things with the prefix cyber ( these days, how can you not?) and, quite frankly, they are too numerous to mention individually. But for the edification of our millions of readers, here’s some of the more interesting and pertinent:

Air Force training: The Air Force has apparently cottoned to the fact that it will soon—if it isn’t already—be engaged in cyberwarfare and so believes it should be including relevant programs as a part of its basic training. Gen. Robert Kehler, head of the Air Force Space Command, said that would cover such things as using firewalls and passwords, likening it to learning how to use a rifle or pistol. More advanced training will include learning about computer networks and vulnerabilities.

Senate stalling Cyber Command: The Senate is delving a little deeper into the meaning of cyberwar and what it will mean in terms of collateral damage and retaliation if the United States launches cyber strikes. It’s using the nomination of Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander to head the new Cyber Command as a way to examine these issues more closely, sparking a cyber tap dance as military officials try to answer questions without giving too much away (sound familiar?).

NRC report on preventing attacks: The National Research Council and its bevy of illustrious experts is looking into the possible cyber deterrence strategies the government could follow, and what that might mean for the policies it adopts. It issued a letter report as the first phase of that project, outlining the key issues and questions that merit examination.

Federal cyber security outlook: Security firm Lumension commissioned a survey of “federal IT decision-makers and influencers” about the state of the government’s security, and found a growing confidence despite the recognition of burgeoning threats. Increased audit burdens and lack of resources (sigh!) were identified as major challenges.